But he found it helpful to have a director who also identified with being an actor.

"Being directed by a guy who is first an actor, the advantages are self-evident," Platt said. "He's such a natural collaborator. You're having so much fun, before you know it you forget you're at work."

Chef also stars Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr., Dustin Hoffman and Bobby Cannavale. Open Road Films is set to release the movie May 9.